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HomeMy WebLinkAbout!Ch 05.16 Minerals 5.16 Mineral Resources Otay Ranch Village 8 West EIR CV EIR 10-03; SCH No. 2010062093 Page 5.16-1 City of Chula Vista November 2013 5.16 Mineral Resources This section describes the mineral resources setting of Village 8 West and evaluates the potential for changes in mineral resource availability due to implementation of the SPA Plan and TM. As stated in Section 2.3, Purpose and Legal Authority, this EIR tiers from the 2013 GPA/GDPA SEIR (09- 01). The SEIR did not address mineral resources but relies on analysis in the 2005 GPU EIR (EIR 05 -01) and the 1993 Program EIR for the GDP (EIR 90-01). Section 3.8, Mineral Resources, of the Otay Ranch GDP Program EIR (90-01) analyzed impacts relating to mineral resources for the entire Otay Ranch and concluded that phasing of development on Rock Mountain and on the San Ysidro and Proctor Valley parcels of Otay Ranch to allow for the extraction of mineral resources before construction would effectively mitigate impacts to mineral resources. The analysis and discussion of mineral resources contained in the Otay Ranch GDP Program EIR are incorporated by reference. Section 5.16, Mineral Resource, of the 2005 GPU EIR (05-01) concluded that development that complies with the Chula Vista MSCP Subarea Plan would result in a less than significant impact to mineral resource because the open space designations in the MSCP Subarea Plan also protect mineral resource availability. The analysis and discussion of Mineral Resources contained in EIR 05-01 is incorporated by reference. 5.16.1 Existing Conditions A. Regulatory Framework 1. State a. California Department of Conservation The California Department of Conservation is the primary state agency that has jurisdiction over mineral resource protection. The State Mining and Geology Board serves as a regulatory, policy, and appeals body representing the state’s interests in conservation of mineral resources and reclamation of lands following surface mining activities. The State Mining and Geology Board operates within the Department of Conservation and is granted certain autonomous responsibilities and obligations under several statutes including the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act of 1975. The Surface Mining and Reclamation Act addresses the protection and subsequent beneficial use of mineral resources considered essential to the economic well-being of the state and to the needs of society while at the same time providing for the reclamation of mined lands to prevent or minimize adverse effects on the environment and to protect public health and safety. If a proposed land use conflicts with the conservation of mineral resources, the Act (Sections 2762 and 2763) requires justification that demonstrates why an approved use would be more important to the region than the loss of the designated mineral resource. 2. Local a. City of Chula Vista General Plan The Environmental Element of the Chula Vista General Plan contains Objective E 5 and supporting policies to support the efficient extraction of regionally significant mineral resources and requires the appropriate reclamation of mined areas for suitable future development, recreation, open space, and/or habitat restoration. 5.16 Mineral Resources Otay Ranch Village 8 West EIR CV EIR 10-03; SCH No. 2010062093 Page 5.16-2 City of Chula Vista November 2013 B. Existing Regional Mineral Resources Most of the western portions of Chula Vista are fully developed so that the potential for mineral resources and production in the General Plan area is generally limited to undeveloped portions of the eastern area of the city, including Otay Ranch, floodplains, or biologically sensitive preserve areas. According to the 2005 GPU EIR, the Otay River Valley area has been a major source of aggregate (sand and gravel) production for the south San Diego County area in the past. Aggregate material is important to the construction industry. This area may contain up to 100 million tons of portland cement concrete (PCC) grade quality sand and an additional 70 million tons of PCC-grade quality gravel. Replenishment of any mined resources occurs only from tributaries as the dam forming Otay Lakes prevents transport of sediment from upstream sources. The Otay Mesa Pit at Rock Mountain is the only active mining operation currently permitted to operate within the city. The Otay Mesa Pit, located approximately 0.5 mile west of Village 8 West, produces quarried rock from a metavolcanic deposit at Rock Mountain, which meets the quality specifications for PCC-grade aggregate. The majority of other land in the area identified as a regionally significant aggregate resource area (MRZ-2) is designated open space in the City’s MSCP Preserve. An estimated 200 acres are designated or zoned for other uses. The MRZ-2 area, as depicted in Figure 16-1 of the 2005 GPU EIR, Regionally Significant MRZ-2 Aggregate Resource Areas, includes the southern portion of Village 8 West, which is designated in the SPA for open space and single-family residential development. 5.16.2 Thresholds of Significance According to the CEQA Guidelines, Appendix G, impacts to mineral resources would be significant if the project would: ■ Threshold 1: Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state. ■ Threshold 2: Result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land use plan. ■ Threshold 3: Be inconsistent with General Plan, GDP, and other objectives and policies regarding mineral resources thereby resulting in a significant physical impact. 5.16.3 Impact Analysis A. Threshold 1: Result in the loss of availability of a known mineral resource that would be of value to the region and the residents of the state. The 2005 GPU EIR identified regionally significant aggregate resource areas, including the MRZ-2 area encompassing Rock Mountain and the Otay Valley Quarry (see Figure 5.16-1). Since that time, the Otay Valley Quarry Reclamation Plan Amendment was approved in 2011. That Plan established the limits of ownership (approximately 388 acres) and limits of the actively mined open pit (approximately 278 acres). The plan amendment also provided a detailed plan for reclamation of the site once active mining ceases in about 2089. As such, the majority of the regionally significant aggregate resources in this area has been included within the Otay Valley Quarry ownership and is available for extraction. No Scale ±Sourc e: Geocon 2011, 2005 GPU EIR MRZ-2 ZONE FIGURE 5.16-1 OTAY RANCH VILLAGE 8 WEST EIR Chula Vista General Plan Area Chula Vista Municipal Boundary “Regionally Significant” MRZ-2 Aggregate Resource Area “Regionally Significant” MRZ-2 Aggregate Resource Area - Urbanized 5.16 Mineral Resources Otay Ranch Village 8 West EIR CV EIR 10-03; SCH No. 2010062093 Page 5.16-4 City of Chula Vista November 2013 This page intentionally left blank. 5.16 Mineral Resources Otay Ranch Village 8 West EIR CV EIR 10-03; SCH No. 2010062093 Page 5.16-5 City of Chula Vista November 2013 Approximately 90 acres of the MRZ-2 resource remains outside of the quarry ownership and within the western portion of Village 8 West. Approximately 15.6 acres of this area will remain in open space, as it is included in the MSCP Preserve. The SPA Plan proposes to develop the remaining MRZ-2 area (74.4 acres) with single-family development. The MSCP Subarea Plan does not preclude mining in the Preserve; therefore, if the requirements of the MSCP Subarea Plan, CEQA and other applicable regulations are met, the potential remains to extract significant MRZ-2 resources from this area. Similarly, development of the remainder of the resource area does not preclude the owner from extracting the aggregate prior to development. Therefore, the majority of the significant mineral resource has been identified and protected for extraction by inclusion in the Otay Valley Quarry ownership. While not proposed as part of the SPA Plan at this time, the approximately 90 acres of this on-site resource could still be made available. As such, there would be no loss of availability of this regionally valuable aggregate resource. No significant impacts would occur. B. Threshold 2: Result in the loss of availability of a locally important mineral resource recovery site delineated on a local general plan, specific plan or other land use plan. The MRZ-2 Zone as shown in the 2005 GPU EIR (see Figure 5.16-1) identifies regionally significant aggregate resource areas, including the MRZ-2 area encompassing Rock Mountain and the Otay Valley Quarry. Since that time, the resource has been further defined since adopting the Otay Valley Quarry Reclamation Plan in 2011. Please see the discussion under Threshold 1. No significant impacts would occur. C. Threshold 3: Be inconsistent with General Plan, GDP, and other objectives and policies regarding mineral resources thereby resulting in a significant physical impact. Tables 5.16-1 and 5.16-2 evaluate the consistency of the project with the applicable General Plan and GDP goals and objectives. As shown, the project would be consistent with all applicable mineral resource policies. Table 5.16-1 Project Consistency with Applicable General Plan Mineral Resource Policies Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency Objective E 5: Efficiently extract regionally significant mineral resources in accordance with the Chula Vista MSCP Subarea Plan and require the appropriate reclamation of mined areas for suitable future development, recreation, open space, and/or habitat restoration. Policy E 5.1: Ensure that permit applications for proposed mineral resource extraction are consistent with the Chula Vista MSCP Subarea Plan. Policy E 5.2: Consider and minimize impacts from mining operations to existing and future surrounding land uses. Policy E 5.3: Ensure that approved mining reclamation plans fully comply with requirements of the Chula Vista MSCP Subarea Plan; Chula Vista Greenbelt Master Plan; Otay Valley Regional Park Concept Plan; and all other applicable plans regarding the restoration of biological habitats and the creation of trails and parkland. Consistent. The project does not propose any mineral extraction facilities. Additionally, as discussed under Threshold 1, the project would not interfere with operations at the existing Rock Mountain Quarry. The project would be consistent with this objective and policies. 5.16 Mineral Resources Otay Ranch Village 8 West EIR CV EIR 10-03; SCH No. 2010062093 Page 5.16-6 City of Chula Vista November 2013 Table 5.16-2 Project Consistency with Applicable GDP Mineral Resource Policies Applicable Policies Evaluation of Consistency Part II, Chapter 10 – Resource Protection, Conservation and Management Goal: Encourage the completion of the extraction of mineral resources before conflicts with planned development could occur. Objective: Extract mineral resources so as not to impair other conservation efforts. Consistent. As discussed under Threshold 1, the project would not interfere with operations at the Rock Mountain Quarry, which includes the majority of the significant mineral resources within its boundary, and would not preclude future extraction of resources within the project area. The project would be consistent with this goal and objective. 5.16.4 Level of Significance Prior to Mitigation No significant impacts related to mineral resources have been identified for the project. 5.16.5 Mitigation Measures No mitigation measures are required. 5.16.6 Level of Significance After Mitigation No significant impacts related to mineral resources were identified for implementation the project.